Deontay "The Bronze Bomber" Wilder shows no sign of regret over the latest missed opportunity to face Anthony Joshua, a bout that never materialised. The former WBC heavyweight champion from the United States has been floated as a potential opponent for the British star on several occasions, most recently by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing. Hearn hinted that a Wilder‑Joshua clash could be pencilled in for the summer before Joshua eventually squares off with Tyson Fury in 2026. However, the fight that was being discussed never left the negotiation stage, and Wilder’s camp appears perfectly content with that outcome.
According to Shelly Finkel, Wilder’s long‑time manager, there is no bitterness or disappointment on the American’s part. Speaking to Sky Sports, Finkel said, “You can’t be upset about something that never happened.
Eddie never reached out to us, and it was clear that Joshua had no real intention of stepping into the ring with Deontay.” The manager’s comments underline a pragmatic attitude: if a fight isn’t firmly on the table, there’s no point in lamenting its absence. The next fight on Joshua’s schedule is set for July, when he will travel to Riyadh to meet the relatively unknown Albanian prospect Kristian Prenga. That bout, while important for Joshua’s activity, is a far cry from the high‑profile showdown that would have pitted two of the division’s biggest names against each other. Matchroom Boxing declined to comment when Sky Sports reached out for clarification, leaving the speculation surrounding a Wilder‑Joshua fight in the realm of rumor rather than fact.
Historically, the two fighters have come close to sealing a deal. Back in 2019, a potential clash between Wilder and Joshua was being discussed as a possible fight for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
At that time, the matchup seemed almost inevitable, but the landscape shifted dramatically when Joshua suffered a stunning upset at the hands of Andy Ruiz. Joshua later avenged that loss, but the window for a Wilder‑Joshua bout had effectively closed.
Fast forward to 2023, and both men appeared on the same card when Joshua dispatched Otto Wallin in a dominant performance. That same night, Wilder suffered an unexpected defeat to Joseph Parker, a result that further complicated any immediate plans for a showdown with Joshua.
More recently, Wilder traveled to the United Kingdom and secured a victory over Derek Chisora, adding another win to his record and keeping his name in the conversation for future heavyweight marquee events. Beyond the Joshua angle, Wilder has been linked to other high‑profile opponents. One name that has surfaced repeatedly is the current unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. In a previous interview with Sky Sports, Wilder expressed optimism, stating, “It can happen, and it will happen, unless I decide to retire – and if that’s the case, I’ll be fine with it.
I have to achieve the goals I set at the start of my career.” He went on to explain that unifying the heavyweight division would be an “overwhelming feeling” that he has never experienced, underscoring his continued hunger for big‑ticket fights. Wilder also addressed the constant stream of rumors that circulate in boxing circles. "I hear a lot of things.
I don’t keep up with too much. I hear he wants to fight me and then all of a sudden he doesn’t want to fight me.
You really don’t know what to believe when you’re in the business of boxing," he said. "He’s one of the best of this era. I do need him to accomplish what I need to accomplish." These remarks illustrate the unpredictable nature of matchmaking in the sport, where negotiations can shift overnight and fighters must stay adaptable. In summary, Deontay Wilder’s stance on the missed Joshua fight is one of acceptance rather than frustration.
With his manager confirming that no concrete offer was ever extended, Wilder appears focused on the future, eyeing potential clashes with top‑tier opponents like Usyk while also remaining open to any opportunity that aligns with his career objectives. As the heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, fans can expect Wilder to keep pursuing the big fights that will define his legacy, regardless of whether Joshua ultimately steps into the ring with him or not.